To download a Google Doc with its comments, go to File > Download > Microsoft Word (.docx). The comments come along as Word comments in the margin, with each reviewer’s name. Comments usually aren’t included in a standard PDF download, so if you need a PDF that shows them, open the downloaded .docx in Word and save it as a PDF with the markup visible.
Below are the steps for each format, how to get a PDF with comments, and how to copy just the comments if that’s all you need.
Which download formats keep comments?
| Format | Comments included? |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Word (.docx) | Yes, as Word comments |
| OpenDocument (.odt) | Generally yes, for LibreOffice and similar apps |
| PDF (.pdf) | Not by default |
| Plain text, web page, EPUB | No |
Method 1: Download as a Word document
- Open the document in Google Docs.
- Click File > Download > Microsoft Word (.docx).
- Open the file in Word. Comments appear in the right margin; if not, go to Review > Show Comments.
Open comment threads, including replies, carry over. Resolved comments are usually not included as active comments, so reopen any you need before downloading.
Method 2: Create a PDF that shows comments
- Download the document as a .docx (Method 1).
- Open it in Microsoft Word.
- On the Review tab, set the view to All Markup so comments are visible.
- Go to File > Save As (or Export) and choose PDF.
- Click Options and make sure Document showing markup is selected, then save.
Printing works the same way: in Word’s Print screen, open the first settings menu and check Print Markup.
Method 3: Copy the comments only
If you just need a list of comments, open the comments panel in Google Docs by clicking the speech-bubble icon at the top right. Select and copy the text you need into another document. For longer documents, downloading as .docx and using Word’s Reviewing Pane (Review > Reviewing Pane) is easier, since it lists every comment in order and lets you copy them in bulk.
Download with comments on a phone
- Open the document in the Google Docs app.
- Tap the three-dot menu > Share & export > Save as (or Send a copy).
- Choose Word (.docx).
The saved file includes the comments, which you can view in the Word app.
Don’t have Microsoft Word?
You can still get a PDF with comments. Open the .docx file in LibreOffice Writer (free), then choose File > Export as PDF. On the General tab, check the option to include comments, either as PDF annotations or in the margin, and click Export. Word for the web, which is free with a Microsoft account, also opens .docx files with comments, so you can review them there even if you can’t export a marked-up PDF.
When to share instead of download
If the goal is to let someone read the feedback, sharing the Google Doc is often better than downloading. Click Share, add their email, and give them Viewer or Commenter access. They’ll see every comment in context, replies stay threaded, and any new comments are added to the same place instead of scattered across file versions. Download copies make the most sense for archiving final versions, submitting work to a system that only accepts files, or working offline.
Keep an archive of comments
For projects where feedback matters later, such as contracts, theses, or design reviews, save a .docx copy at each major milestone. Name the files clearly, for example “Draft 2 with comments – March,” and store them in a project folder. Because resolved comments drop out of the downloaded copy, download before resolving threads if you want a record of the discussion.
Before you download
- Check suggestions too. Suggested edits download as tracked changes in Word. Accept or reject them first if you want a clean copy.
- Remove sensitive comments. Comments can include names and side conversations. Delete or resolve anything that shouldn’t leave the team.
- Confirm permissions. If Download is grayed out, the owner may have disabled downloading for viewers and commenters. Ask them for access.
Troubleshooting
- Comments missing in Word: They may have been resolved in Google Docs. Reopen them from the comment history and download again.
- Comments appear in the wrong spot: Complex formatting can shift anchor points. Check the highlighted text in Word.
- Names show as “Author”: Some privacy settings in Word replace names. Check File > Options > Trust Center > Privacy Options.
Related: How to add a comment in Google Docs.
Related: How to hide comments in Google Docs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I download a Google Doc as PDF with comments directly?
Not reliably. Download as Word first, then save as PDF with markup.
Will downloading delete the comments in Google Docs?
No. The online document stays exactly as it was.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.